A public inquiry has been called for by the Government over Billericay Town Football Club's ambitious plans for a new stadium complex.
The club plans to move from New Lodge, in Billericay, to a new 8,000-capacity venue in Gloucester Park, Basildon.
The new complex would include a hotel, leisure centre and banqueting facilities along with a swimming pool and ball courts with a price tag of £14.5million.
The Ryman League club would also spend a slice of that cash providing sport and leisure facilities at their existing home.
The club, along with Scottish developer Stadia Management, has come in for heavy criticism over its dream move but was granted planning permission in November.
Billericay chairman and chief executive Rod Moore revealed Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has called for the inquiry.
He said: "We're disappointed - but not downhearted.
"As far as I'm concerned, we've lost nothing at all, except a delay in providing some wonderful facilities for the people of Basildon and surrounding districts.
"In football terms, you could say it's 1-1 now and gone to extra time."
Town had at one stage hoped the new complex would be built allowing soccer to be played in the stadium during the 2004/05 season.
Now it could be at least a year later.
Published Friday, January 31, 2003
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